Funded by: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

This on-going project began in 2002 and is an investigation into manatee food preferences and feeding habits near warm-water refuges to provide insight into the carrying capacity of the manatees' winter habitat. In many areas of Florida, particularly the east coast, manatees are dependent on artificial sources of warm water such as power plants for protection during colder temperatures. Future industry and government projections suggest that some, if not all, of these open system power plants eventually will be eliminated from Florida waterways. If sources of warm water disappear, there will be less available habitat for manatee populations during winter months, which could increase grazing pressures on sea grasses. Environmental disturbances may affect sea grass abundance, further reducing the availability of food.

The study currently investigates manatee habitat use, abundance, and distribution near the Riviera Beach Florida Power and Light (FPL) plant on the east coast of Florida. Baseline data is collected on seagrass productivity and changes measured due to annual and seasonal environmental variation. GPS/satellite tracking technology is utilized to monitor individual manatees' feeding trips to seagrass beds within the study area, and their fine-scale use of the warm water discharge in relation to environmental factors such as tide, water and air temperatures. Existing data on seagrass abundance and distribution will be used with other data on manatee feeding habits and seasonal abundance to estimate local, seasonal carrying capacity of the selected sites. This information will help managers understand the potential effects on manatee populations if sources of artificial warm water disappear in Florida. The project addresses priority research questions identified in the 2000 USFWS Manatee Recovery Plan.

To learn more about our partners please click on the links provided

   U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

   Florida Power and Light Company